Natural Resource List Nearly Completed

Granby's much-anticipated natural resource inventory list will be released this fall, according to the chairman of the town's conservation commission.

At a special meeting Wednesday, conservation commission Chairman Neil Hornish said that the 70-page document, which lists, among other things, the town's wildlife corridors, open space, forest land, farm land and endangered species, is nearly completed and is just in need of updating and editing from other commission members.

Work on the list, which also details how to protect the town's natural resources, was started over a year ago and should be concluded around the time of the town's 225th anniversary celebration in October, according to Hornish.

The document will serve as a resource for standing boards, commissions and members of the public.  

While discussing the list, one commission member lamented the dwindling acreage of farmland in town.

"We've missed the boat already [in listing farm land]," commissioner Susan Dwyer said. "Most of the farms are gone."

Hornish, however, pointed out that while the days of numerous large sprawling farms may be gone, there are still many smaller farms located in Granby that remain true to the town's agrarian roots.

"I was surprised at the number of little 'gentleman' farms that turned up just on a Google search," Hornish said.

Energy fair uncertain

In other business, the commission discussed the feasibility of hosting an energy fair in town by the end of the year. 

Hornish said that organizing the fair within the next couple of months would be a challenge, particularly with the commission's efforts focused on the natural resources list, and might have to be delayed until next spring.

Commissioners wanted

Finally, Hornish announced that the conservation commission has two vacancies. Anyone who is interested in serving as a volunteer commissioner should contact Town Manager William Smith or the respective chair of the Democratic or Republican town committee for additional details.